Download The Jemez Mountains Salamander

F IGHTING FOR S URVIVAL
The Jemez Mountains Salamander
Photo: National Park Service (Chris Judson)
A SUFFERING SALAMANDER
The Jemez Mountains salamander is the most imperiled of only three salamanders that exist in New Mexico.
Because of logging, road building, climate change, and fire suppression, this unique salamander is at risk of
extinction. Without federal protection, we may lose the Jemez Mountains salamander and its contributions
to the web of life forever.
PROTECTING NATIONAL FORESTS
The Jemez Mountains salamander makes its home within the volcanic fields of the Jemez Mountains. About
90% of this salamander’s populations are contained within the boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest. If
listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Jemez Mountains salamander should be given habitat
protections that will not only ensure its survival for future generations, but would also protect the Santa Fe
National Forest and co-existing species.
KNOW YOUR SALAMANDER
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Moisture: Because Jemez Mountains salamanders are lungless, their skin is very thin and must remain
moist in order to breathe.
Grounded: These nocturnal salamanders spend most of their lives underground in the moist soils of
the Santa Fe National Forest.
Diet: As a carnivore, most of the salamander’s diet consists of insects found mainly at night.
Tails: Salamanders average 82 millimeters in length, and half of their
size consists of their tails.
CLIMATE CHAOS
Habitat drying and increased forest fire intensities resulting from
climate change pose acute threats to this amphibian.
Jemez Mountain Salamander Historic Range
Jemez Mountain Salamander Historic Range
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